The Rights of Parents of College Students
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- Frank_Monaldo
- Frank_Monaldo
- Gottlieb
- Frank_Monaldo
- mswogger
- Lawhawk
- gppaul
- CLGlover
- chrismsc2005
- smays
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» Frank_Monaldo - Rights
Dear Mike,The question of rights would have never come up in my mind had the university either not raised the issue or been more candid. If they bring up an issue, I expect honesty. I do not think that it is too much to ask for.
Moreover, the argument that, "I suspect that the colleges have a bit more experience in such issues than Frank, or the rest of us." seems like a defference to authority unbecoming to a true "skeptic." Perhaps it was their experience that misleading parents causes less disruptions.
BTW, you are correct that my son "needs nonstandard treatment." Fortunately, whenever I need help with dealing with a gifted student, I just have to ask my mother for advise.
-- posted by Frank_Monaldo
» Frank_Monaldo - Dependent
Dear Jason,Is it your experience that your parents were required to fill out a financial statement after you were no longer dependent (in the income tax sense) on them?
-- posted by Frank_Monaldo
» Gottlieb - Dependency
Frank,I have not been a dependent for at least four years, and probably more. And yet, to apply for any financial aid at Columbia (indeed, anywhere in the eight private Ivy League universities), you have to include both parents' financial information. This includes BOTH parents, even if your parents are divorced. If, hypothetically, one parent split when you were a baby and never came back, you have to explain this, and justify it, and even more egregious, evidence it (written suggestions included a letter from a guidance counselor or religious figure!).
Think of the ridiculousness of this: despite the fact that my mother hasn't supported my in years (why should she? I had my own apartment, a job, etc.), in order to apply for need-based financial aid, I had to prove her inability to pay -- the assumption is that if my parents have money, they shoudl pay, regardless of their willingness -- and should they be able but not willing, I pay the price!
If my parents are rich, but refuse to support me on the rather sensible grounds that a 26-year-old should take responsibility for his own life, I am disqualified from financial aid, even if I have absolutely no money!
The FAFSA, the federal student aid application, demands less: you just have to be a graduate student, an undergrad over 25 years old, or a non-dependent undergrad. Why 25? No idea. Apparently, the age of majority shifts around a bit when money is concerned.
I understand why they do it: they want to maximize profits and better squirrel resources to people from poor families. But it's not necessarily the fairest way to do things. And it's a symbol of (to return to the point) how universities too often treat their students like children, instead of the adults they ought to be.
Frank, do you remember your college experience? Would you have wanted your dean to rat you out to your parents? ;-)
-- posted by Gottlieb
» Frank_Monaldo - Rating
Dear Jason,Given the size of universities and the preoccupation of professors with research it would be rare case when a professor or dean took it upon himself to call a student's parents.
Nonetheless, there is a difference between ratting on a kid and genuine concern. I would just hope that the motivation of professors and parents would be to act in the best interests of the student.
I agree with you that once a kid is no longer economically dependent, public institutions should treat that person with out regard to their family background.
-- posted by Frank_Monaldo
» mswogger - Jason
Jason:I wouldn't be surprised that the Ivy League schools still require parental financial involvement because they are trying to fully limit the number of applications, thus the number of rejections they have to mete out. Remember that these are private, world renowned institutions that have reputations of rigorous academics and high success rates that must be upheld.
Additionally, the fewer financial barriers constructed, the more applications from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds will be taken. That means that come time to review the applications and decide who will be rejected, they must be able to further justify their rejections of those coming from diverse areas. As long as the barriers are high, those populations won't even bother applying. This, moreover, puts less strain on the acceptance/rejection process. These are simply my thoughts, taken from nowhere other than my mind's twisted delineation. :-)
Public institutions and the FAFSA, on the otherhand, make it clear that constraints are not as strict simply because these schools and the federal government emphasize more, theoretically, the ideal of diversity and more equal access regardless of income and background.
-- posted by mswogger
» Lawhawk - Jason's experience with financial aid at Columbia mirror's my
Jason's experience with financial aid at Columbia mirror's my own experience with Albany Law's financial aid. Even though we're not a First tier law school, nor are we public (we're affiliated with Union University and not SUNY Albany), to be considered for grant in aid above and beyond the Federal Loan programs and CWS, you had to give detailed parental info unless you wrote a letter compelling enough to not have that information considered.I was in a similar position as Jason and I think most colleges and universities will want to see all possible money channels the student can call upon before it gives out its own money. For small colleges, universities and business schools this may be more crucial with small endowments.
-- posted by Lawhawk
» gppaul - The Rights of Parents of College Students
As a student at Macon State College, I feel that I am a growing adult that should make my own decions that have to deal with my life. I feel that once you reach 18 years of age to decide whether or not to attend college, you should be solely responible for all decions concerning your life. I agree that parents should have some say so, but they can not live your life for you as a growing adult. Some parents need to understand that they to have made mistakes in their lives and have learn from their mistakes.-- posted by gppaul
» CLGlover - The Rights of Parents of College Studenst
It should be up to the individual if one wants to go to college. A parent should not force a child to go to college. A child has to grow up to become a mature adult. With an adult always on his or her back, how is one supposed to become mature? We all are going to make mistakes. Yes a parent should be informed about their child especially if the parent is paying for his or her child education.-- posted by CLGlover
» chrismsc2005 - The Rights of Parents of College Studnets
I agree that by federal law parents should not be allowed to check up on there kids grades. These kids are grown ups now and it is there right to have there own privacy. I mean it's not like at the end of each semester the parents are not going to find out how "Johnny" has been doing. So again i believe tha college is a time for students to grow up and take action for themselves withou there mommy always looking over there shoulder making sure there doing the right thing.-- posted by chrismsc2005
» smays - I feel that until my child can and will pay for college than I s
I feel that until my child can and will pay for college than I should informed of everything that in going on " academic" wise I need not to know his or her social life, but I need to know more about what and where my money is being spent on-- posted by smays
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